The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has once again addressed the diplomatic friction between Nigeria and the United States following renewed allegations of Christian persecution.
Naijaonpoint reports that the tension deepened on Friday after US President, Donald Trump, announced that Nigeria had been redesignated as a “Country of Particular Concern (CPC)”, citing alleged killings of Christians.
Trump accused the Nigerian government of “turning a blind eye” to the violence and directed the US Department of War to “prepare for possible action.”
“If the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the USA will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists committing these atrocities,” Trump declared on Truth Social.
In response, Pete Hegseth, the US Secretary of War, confirmed the directive, writing on 𝕏 (formerly Twitter), “The Department of War is preparing for action. Either the Nigerian government protects Christians, or we will kill the Islamic terrorists committing these horrible atrocities.”
Reacting to the designation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu rejected the claim of religious persecution, stating that Nigeria remains a multi-faith democracy anchored on equality and constitutional protection for all citizens.
The President maintained that violence in Nigeria was not religiously motivated, stressing that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of criminal and terrorist attacks.
“Religious persecution has no place in Nigeria. The Constitution guarantees the protection of all citizens, regardless of faith,” Tinubu said in a statement issued through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“Tinubu Was Ahead Of The Orchestrated Game” — Onanuga
In a post on 𝕏 on Sunday, Onanuga said President Tinubu had anticipated the political undercurrents behind the renewed international pressure, describing it as part of an “orchestrated campaign” against Nigeria.
“President Bola Tinubu was well ahead of the orchestrated game unfolding in America as he told the new service chiefs on Thursday what Nigerians expect of them. No more excuses, he said. Nigerians want results,” Onanuga wrote.
He went on to share excerpts from the President’s address to military commanders, delivered shortly before Trump’s announcement.
In the speech, Tinubu urged the armed forces to take decisive action against emerging security threats in various parts of the country.
Tinubu said, “Security threats are constantly evolving, constantly mutating.
“Of grave concern to our administration is the recent emergence of new armed groups in the North-Central, North-West, and parts of the South. We must not allow these new threats to fester. We must be decisive and proactive. Let us smash the new snakes right in the head.”
He charged the military chiefs to deliver tangible results rather than excuses, while pledging full support from his administration.
The president said, “I charge you, as the heads of our nation’s armed forces, to carry out your duties with patriotic zeal. Nigerians expect results, not excuses.
“I charge you also to be innovative, pre-emptive, and courageous. Let’s stay ahead of those who seek to threaten our peace. Let us deploy technology where necessary. We cannot allow the crisis that began in 2009 to persist any longer.”
Tinubu concluded his address by assuring the military of the government’s backing, “I wish you success as you take up the challenge. I promise to provide all the support you need to get the job done.”
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